Can-cutter.



G. G. PERCY.

CAN CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 30, 1910 996,67L- Patented July 4,1911.

6% adj/{g I enter by I Attorneys GEORGE CARTER PERCY, OF GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI.

CAN-CUTTER.

eaac'm.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1911.

Application filed June 30, 1910. Serial No. 569,740.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. PERCY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenville, in the county of Washington and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Can-Cutter, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of this invention to provide, in a simple, merchantable and inexpensive form, a cutting device, whereby openings may be made in cans of diiferent heights.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for cutting the can, and to provide means for holding the can dur ing the cutting operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide novel means for mounting and upholding the working parts of the device, and to provide. means whereby the can which is to be cut, may be positioned within the sphere of action of said working parts.

The drawings show typical embodiments merely, and it is to be understood that changes, properly falling within the scope of what is claimed, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings,Figure 1 shows the invention in perspective; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the shaft, the cutting member being mounted therein, and shown in elevation; Fig. 3 is a fragmental transverse section of the operating lever, the parts engaged thereby shown in elevation; Fig. 4: is a cross section of a modified form of arm; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the base and the auxiliary support which is slidable thereon.

In carrying out the invention there is provided, as a primary and fundamental element, a base 1, preferably a flat plate of wood or metal. Fixed to and rising from one end of the base 1, is a standard 2, with which the operating mechanism is connected, as described hereinafter. The base 1 and the standard 2 constitute a can support. An auxiliary support 51, preferably a block, is mounted for sliding movement upon the upper face of the base 1. In the upper face of the base 1 there is a slot 50, T-shaped in cross section, and having its transverse portion disposed within the contour of the base. A block 52, T-shaped in cross section, is embedded in, or otherwise secured to, the lower face of the auxiliary support 51, this block fitting in the slot 50 in the base 1. The slot 50, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, terminates short of one end of the base 1, and the auxiliary support 51 is thus interlocked with the base 1, for limited sliding move ment thereon. If desired, one end face of the auxiliary support 51 may be concaved, as denoted by the numeral 53, for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

An operating lever 6 is provided, the same being pivoted, as denoted by the numeral 15, at one end, to the upper end of the standard 2. This lever6is preferably arched slightly, away from the base 1, as shown. The par ticular outline to be assumed by the lever 6, will be dictated by the form of the cans which are to be cut open in the device.

Intermediate the ends of the lever 6 there is an opening 7. A sleeve 8 is disposed in this opening 7, the sleeve 8 being threaded in its interior. Pins 9, or other supports, project through the lever 6, into the opening 7 therein, to engage the sleeve 8. Thus the sleeve 8 is pivotally mounted in the lever 6.

The can cutter includes a shaft 10, threaded at 11, as seen in Fig. 2, this shaft 10 being adapted to be inserted into the threaded sleeve 8. The upper end of the shaft 10 carries a laterally projecting crank 12, provided with a suitable operating handle 14:, of any desired form. In the lower end of the shaft 10 there is a transverse opening in which is disposed a rack bar 18. Mounted for rotation in the shaft 10, above the rack bar, is a worm screw 19, engaging the rack bar to advance the same transversely of the shaft 10. One extremity of this rack bar 18 is downwardly extended as denoted by the numeral 20, and this downwardly extended portion carries a cutter head 21, which may be described, broadly, as being in the shape of a plow share.

It will be seen that the cutter head 21 is adapted to operate between a pair of down wardly extended, diverging arms 16, formed integrally with the sleeve 8. By referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that these arms 16 are triangular in cross section, so as to present sharpened edges toward each other. Moreover, as seen to best advantage in Fig. 1, the extremities of the arms 16 are pointed, as at 17. The sleeve 8 and its arms 16 constitute a can holder.

By reason of the fact that the arms 16 are triangular in cross section, the sharpened edges thereof are well adapted to engage the edges of a can, to hold the same in place.

This result may be effected in another manner, as shown in Fig. 4. In such case, the arms 30 are concaved upon their adjacent faces, as at 31, to define two edges 32. These edges 32 will give the device a double grip upon the can, and in some cases will prove more effective than the form of arms to which the numeral 16 is specifically applied.

The device herein disclosed is adapted to be employed for cutting open either cylindrical cans, or flat rectangular cans of the type in which oil-packed fish are commonly dispensed. When one of these flat cans is to be cut open, the auxiliary support 51 is slid toward the standard 2, to position the support between the ends of the arms 16. The can is then placed upon the auxiliary support 51. The free end of the operating lever 6 is then depressed. The points 17 of the arms 16 will be pressed into the top of the can, or, if the can is not too wide, the edges of the can will be wedged firmly between the arms 16, and be held there firmly owing to the fact that the arms are provided with the sharpened edges, seen most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4:. When the free end of the lever 6 is thus lowered, the cutter head 21 will be brought into close proximity with the top of the can. The handle 14 is then rotated, causing the shaft 10 to advance downwardly through the sleeve 8, until the cutter head 21 ultimately'touches, enters, and cuts an arcuate opening in, the top of the can which is placed upon the auxiliary support 51.

When a cylindrical can is to be cut open, the auxiliary support 51 is pushed out of the way, as shown in Fig. 1. The cylindrical can is then placed upon the base 1, the con caved face 53 of the auxiliary support 51 serving to receive the can and to hold the same in place. The lever 6 is lowered, and the handle 14 rotated, the operation of cutting a cylindrical can being substantially the same as that of cutting a flat can, saving that in the first mentioned instance, the auxiliary support 51 is pushed to one side.

Cans of different heights may be accommodated by rotating the shaft 10 in the sleeve 8; and obviously, the operating lever 6 serves as a means for positioning the cutter head 21 relatively near to the top of the can which is to be opened. 1

Owing to the fact that the sleeve 8 is pivotally mounted, as shown, when the free end of the operating lever is depressed, both of the arms 16 may be brought into firm bearing upon the can; an operation impossible were the sleeve 8 rigidly connected with the operating lever.

Obviously, by manipulating the worm screw 19, the rack bar 18 may be advanced and retracted transversely of the shaft 10 in which it is mounted, thereby adjusting the diameter of the opening which will be cut in the can top by the cutter head 21.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a lever; a sleeve pivoted therein, for swinging movement, and provided with diverging arms; a shaft mounted in the sleeve, for rotation and for longitudinal movement; a cutting member carried by the sleeve and operating between the arms, and means for supporting the lever.

2. A device of the class described comprising a lever; a threaded sleeve pivoted therein and provided with diverging arms; a shaft threaded into the sleeve; a cutting member adjustable in the shaft transversely of the same, and operating between the arms; and means for supporting the lever.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE CARTER PERCY.

Witnesses:

F. E; ALLEN, A. M. NUGENT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

